Missing teeth can cause your self-confidence to suffer. You may hide your smile and avoid eating your favourite foods. If you are missing a tooth (or teeth), there is a safe solution that will restore your confidence. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and allow you to eat, smile, laugh and talk confidently.
What is a dental implant?
When a tooth is damaged or decayed, it must be removed to keep the rest of your mouth in good health. When a tooth is removed, the crown (the visible part of the tooth) and the root are lost. A dental implant is a small post used as a substitute for the root. Generally, dental implants are made of titanium because it poses no threat to the human body. Moreover, titanium is able to bond with bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a strong foundation to support the replacement teeth.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants are placed within the jawbone in order for them to fuse with the natural bone. The placement of an implant follows a process that begins with an assessment of your mouth done by your dentist to determine if you will require an implant-supported bridge or a denture that contains multiple teeth. Once your mouth has been assessed, your dentist will come up with a treatment plan that will go as follows:
- The implant will be surgically placed in your jawbone by an implant dentistry specialist. You will be given anaesthesia to keep your comfortable during the surgical procedure.
- As you heal, the implant will fuse with your jawbone (osseointegration). The implant and jawbone will grow together and form a long-lasting support for your replacement teeth. The healing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. But you can go about your everyday life with few interruptions while osseointegration occurs.
- Once the implant bonds with your jawbone, an abutment (a small connector) is placed over the implant, allowing it to connect to the replacement tooth (or teeth).
- Finally, the replacement tooth, implant-supported bridge or dentures with multiple teeth are attached to the abutment, leaving you with a healthy mouth full of natural-looking teeth.
Dental implants will restore your confidence and let you laugh, eat, talk and smile with pride. If you are missing teeth, don’t hide behind a closed mouth anymore—contact us today for more information about dental implants.